Dave Moore Nature Area, near Lotus, SF American River
Waiver and Sign-up required.
After an 18-month hiatus from Friday Walks, we are happy to be able to offer them again. To gather safely, however, we need to follow some new rules.
- You must sign an Electronic Liability Waiver in advance of joining SacValley Chapter Friday Walks. Signing an Electronic Liability Waiver is a permanent change required statewide by the California Native Plant Society. Please note that signing the waiver for SacValley Chapter Friday Walks applies only to our chapter’s Friday Walks and does not cover SacValley Chapter Field Trips or any events or field trips offered by other CNPS chapters. Once you have signed the SacValley Chapter Friday Walks waiver, it is valid through the end of the current calendar year.
- For now, a limited number of participants can join each Friday Walk. The limit is currently 20 participants and one leader.
Walks are held unless heavy rain, extreme heat or very poor air quality are forecast. Cancellation notices posted by 7PM Thursday.
Even though we are in summer hours, we’ll be meeting an hour later for this walk due to the distance from Sacarmento.
John the leader has Shingles. He will be keeping distant from the group. If you have not had Chickenpox or a Chickenpox Vaccine, it is recommended that you do not attend this walk.
Friday, June 9, 9:15am – 11:45am, Dave Moore Nature Area, near Lotus
Join us for a shaded walk in a beautiful area. Among the native plants in bloom we should see Asclepias fascicularis, Calochortus superbus, Calycadenia multiglandulosa, Clarkia biloba, Clarkia purpurea ssp. quadrivulnera, Clarkia rhomboidea, Clarkia unguiculata, Delphinium hesperium, Diplacus aurantiacus, Eriophyllum lanatum, Erythranthe guttata, Grindelia camporum var. davyi, Keckiella breviflora, Leptosiphon ciliatus, Madia elegans, Madia gracilis, Nemophila maculata, Phacelia imbricata, Rubus leucodermis, Rubus ursinus, Scutellaria californica and Wyethia angustifolia. Most of the trail was built to access a mining camp near the South Fork American River. We’ll make a loop passing a stately madrone that sadly has lost 2 main branches since last year. On Saturday the river was so high that most of the beach area was under water, so we won’t be lingering there. This is a shaded walk on an old mining trail. For more information, to sign-up for this trip, or if you need a Waiver email John Schmidt or phone 916-500-8456.
It’s about 32 miles and 40 minutes from Sunrise and Hwy 50 to Dave Moore Nature Area. The ice cream shop where we often stopped have the walk is permanently closed. The cafe next to it is still open if some people would like to stop there afterwards.
Use the linked map or directions below.
Directions using Highway 50 from Sacramento:
– East of Hwy 50 to Ponderosa Road exit 37 for Shingle Springs.
– Turn left and cross over the freeway to the first stop sign.
– Turn right on North Shingle Road and proceed for 3 miles. The road will merge with Green Valley Rd.
– Turn left at the “Y” onto Lotus Road. Drive north on Lotus Road for 5 miles.
– Turn left at Highway 49 and cross the bridge at the river.
– Continue north on Hwy 49 for about 1 miles. The signed entrance is on the left at the cobblestone wall.
– Click here for a streetview of the Dave Moore entrance.
Directions using Interstate 80
– East on I-80 to Auburn, exit 119C, Elm Street.
– Turn left at the cloverleaf traffic light onto Elm Street.
– Turn left after 2 blocks on Elm Street onto Hwy 49 which might be marked as High Street, El Dorado Street or Golden Chain Highway.
– After one block Hwy 49 forks to the right on El Dorado Street or Golden Chain Hwy.
– Continue south on Hwy 49 past the town of Cool After about 15 miles on Hwy 49.
– The signed entrance to Dave Moore will be on your right at the cobblestone wall.
– Click here for a streetview of the Dave Moore entrance.
Parking is free.
There is a rest facility available at the trailhead.
Please try to be on time. We’ll start walking about 9:30am on the trail near the rest facility. We will be within 100 feet of the rest area for about 10 minutes since there is mush to see an explore here.